Traditional Knowledge of African Villages

  Mozambique

Maputo

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: Research Mission
Visit villages in South Africa and Mozambique to record oral knowledge and traditional practices.

Situation Report
Limpopo River Basin, South Africa and Mozambique -- The Limpopo River meanders through South Africa's vast untamed country, zig-zagging through misty mountains, sun-baked savannah plains, and ancient forests before heading out to sea in Mozambique. The Venda, Sotho, and Tsonga peoples who live along the river have a an incredibly rich cultural history, including long traditions of mining, metallurgy, biotechnology, environmental management, and medicine. Clapperton Mavhunga, a historian, and Dr. Simon Kang'a, a geneticist, are working to gather the wealth of indigenous knowledge and technologies present in the vast archives that are the African villages. Mavhunga and Kang'a then plan to establish centers of innovation in these rural villages, which will help address problems of poverty and environmental degradation, while also nurturing economically valuable enterprises such as centers for learning, cultural tourism, and village museums.

Meals and Accommodations
Volunteers will camp in villages, setting up tents at each location. Tents are shared, and come supplied with foam mattresses, pillows, and sleeping bags. Facilities will be rustic, most likely with pit toilets and limited bathing opportunities. Electricity is available in the town, where you can charge any batteries. Volunteers will plan menus and prepare food on a rotating basis. Meals will include local favorites, like roasted corn and sweet potatoes, but you'll also be able to buy the ingredients for your favorite camp foods will also be available.

Highlights: You will have the rare opportunity of exploring a part of "real Africa" as you lay the foundation for what would eventually be village-based centers for innovation and cultural/village-based tourism. You will travel among villages, working alongside the local people in building their asset register at various sites of knowledge production and consumption, an important first step towards creating the proposed centers for innovation. At each village, your keen observation skills will be put to good use as the research team gathers information on different aspects of village life and traditions critical in the first instance to building a sustainable, people-friendly tourism package. During your recreational time, you will experience for the first time a unique brand of game drives into the nearby game parks to see classic African wildlife under the guidance of the village elders.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,846

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 - 6

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971